Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1887-02-17
HELPING THE KING.

HELPING THE KING.
ny Being Faithful In Small Thing
Shepherd boy became Greatly Hon.
ored.
There was little shepherd-boy who
kept his sheep down In lonely valley.
War was raging in the land. and the
boy would have liked to 60 out and
fight against the enemy. but he was too
young. He was q good boy. careful
Of his sheep and kind to his dog. and
active and industrious at his work;
and at home he was obedient and gen.
tic, and always ready to do good
turn for any one. But, though he liked
his work. he would have liked better to
fight, and he was very sorry that he
could not be q soldier. One day n
long column of loose soldiers. with
bright red coats and flashing helmets,
and trumpets sounding, rode through
the valley on their way to battle.
Among them was a young soldier, a
cousin of the shepherd.boy, and not
many years older. The boy called to
him, and babe him goodbye. and as
the soldiers disappeared at the end OF
the valley, he said to himself; 81
wish I were as old as my
cousin. that I might 60 out to
fight the Kings battles. He will risk
his life to help the King. and, may be,
he may do something great and help
to win battle and save our country;
but can do nothing but stay here and
watch few sheep. / wish l could do
something to help the King" AS he
said these words q pigeon came came
hurriedly flying close over his head.
The boy looked up. and there was a
hawk chasing after her. The poor bird
flew round and round, and here and
there. and managed to escape as far as
the next meadow; but she was close
followed mt every turn by the hungry
hawk, and II was clear that she would
be caught in q minute, ifno help came.
There was no time to 60 round by the
gate, so In moment the boy jumped
on a high stone-wall that parted the
two meadows; It was high wall, and
there was steep. rough rock on the
other side. The jump was dangerous
one, but without q moments hesitation
the brave lad leapcd down. and
the next momcnt-though he sprain.
cd his foot and fell, striking one
cheek against sharp edge in the
rock-hc was up again on his feet,
and flinging his crook at the hawk
he stopped him just in time to save the
poor trembling pigeon. Then he took
up the pigeon, more dead than alive
and stroked it gently. In n few min.
utcs 1t seemed to gain strength and
courage. Meantime, the shepherd-boy,
limping as he went, carried the bird
round TO the meadow where he was
keeping his sheep. And now. while he
was feeding the pigeon with some bread
crumbs it came into his mind: "What
am to do with this pretty birdP" AT
hrst he said: "Iwill take II home to my
brothers and sisters. GLOW pleased
they will bel" Then It occurred Ia
him: "Perhaps the pigeon belongs to
some one else. Indeed IL must, for it's
not wild wood.pigcon. but tame
one; and besides, somc one has tied
silk thread and a piece Of paper round
its neck. But then. have not l savedit III
II would have been killed but for me-
Surely 1t belongs to me. And besides,
II let It 60, may not another hawk kill
itp" All this he thought to himself, and
part of It he spoke aloud. But wher
he had finished, his conscience told hin
that he ought not to keep the pigeon
It was very hard to let 1t 20. but 1t wa
right. So he kissed the pigeon ant
said: "Good-bye; 60 home to YOU
master who gave you your little Sill
collar"
Away flew the pigeon straight towar'
a castle at the top Of hill long way
of, and at the same time away gallope'
A man on horseback down In the deel
lane that ran by the side Of the meadow
The boy wondered for a minute who
was that had been quietly waiting II
the lane, but soon he forgot oil abou
that Now. you must know that thi'
man who galloped of when the pigeor
few away was no other than tho King
The King had been riding little be
hind his soldiers, and had heard all tn
shepherd boys complaints, and how b
wanted to do something to help IN
King. He had also noticed hov
tho brave boy had jumped from
the top Of . high wall ant
had saved the pigeon. Moreover
Just as the. pigeon was rising u
Nv away, he had noticed the little piec
Of paper tied by the silk thread roun'
the pigeons neck. He had not notices
this while the bird was In the boy
hand, but when 1t began to fap II
wings be caught ashs od ~ and sas